Clamping device for a bag-type receptacle



June 23, 1964 R. w. MELDRUM CLAMPING DEVICE FOR A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLEFiled Nov. 2 1961 JNVENTOR. J EOY W ME'LDRUM ATTORNEY United StatesPatent 3,138,361 CLAMPIYG DEVICE FOR A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLE Roy W.Meldrum, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Bursime C0rp., St. Paul, Minn, acorporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 149,734 3 Claims.(Cl. 24895) This invention relates to the method and apparatus for usein releasably gripping and supporting a bag type receptacle from asupport structure such as a hospital bed or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel clamp ing device, ofsimple and inexpensive construction, for use in supporting a bag typereceptacle in releasably clamped relation from a support structure suchas a hospital bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedclamping device attachable to a support structure such as a bed, andincluding opposed clamping members, one of which is provided with aslotted clamping surface and the other having a convex clamping surfacefor effectively clamping an edge portion of the bag receptacletherebetween in a manner to minimize strain on the gripped portion ofthe receptacle and to thereby greatly reduce the tendency of this typeof receptacle from becoming damaged by tearing and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel improvedclamping device attachable to a support struc ture such as a hospitalbed and including opposed clamping members for clamping the upper edgeportion of a bag type receptacle therebetween, one of the clampingmembers having a centering and positioning element v positionable withina recess in the upper peripheral edge of the receptacle, for properlycentering the bag to permit proper clamping thereof.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a method forsupporting a bag type receptacle in clamped relation from a hospital bedwherein pressure is applied evenly along an elongate annular portion ofthe receptacle adjacent the upper peripheral side edge thereof, tothereby grip and support the receptacle in suspended relation from thehospital bed, the portions of the receptacle circumscribed by theelongate gripped annular portion thereof being disposed out of co-planarrelation with respect to the gripped annular portions of the receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention shown attached to asupporting hospital bed structure and illustrated in clamped relationwith a bag type receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a side View on an enlarged scale partly in section and partlyin elevation of my invention; and

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view on an enlarged scale of the stationaryclamping member, a fragmentary portion of the bag type receptacle beingillustrated in dotted line configuration.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that one embodiment of mynovel clamping device, designated in 'its entirety by the referencenumeral 10, is thereshown.

interconnected for relative pivotal movement.

"ice

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that my novel clamping device 10is illustrated in attached relation to a conventional hospital bed frameF for clamping a bag type receptacle B thereto. My novel clamping device10 includes the stationary clamp member 11 suitably constructed of arigid metallic material and being of substantially flat, rectangularshape, as best seen in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be notedthat the stationary clamping member 11 is bent adjacent its uppermarginal edge to define a rearwardly projecting flange 12 which isadapted to be positioned in overlying engagement with the uppermostsurface of one of the side frame members of the hospital bed frame F.Stationary clamping member 11 is also provided with a pair of apertures13 for receiving bolts 14, as best seen in FIG. 1, to permit the readyattachment of the clamping device to the hospital bed frame F. It willalso be noted that the stationary clamping member is provided with areinforcing rib 15 adjacent the marginal edge thereof to impart marginalrigidity and strength to the stationary clamping member 11.

The stationary clamping member 11 has a pair of ears l6 struck outwardlytherefrom, these ears being disposed in substantially parallel,laterally spaced-apart relation and each being suitably apertured. Inthe preferred embodiment, ears 16 are integrally formed with thestationary clamping member 11 and are formed by the punching operationto thereby define a pair of apertures 17. The stationary clamping member11 is also provided with an elongate slot 18 extending transverselythereof, the function of which will be more fully explained hereinbelow.An outwardly struck positioning centering element 1% projects forwardlyfrom the stationary clamping member 11 and it will be noted that thiscentering and positioning element 19 is disposed closely adjacent theslot 18.

My novel clamping device 10 also includes a movable clamping member 20also suitably constructed from a rigid metallic material and having apair of inwardly struck ears 21 projecting therefrom. These inwardlystruck ears are also preferably formed by a punching operation so that apair of openings 22 are defined by the outwardly struck metal comprisingthe ears 21. These cars 21 are also disposed in laterally spaced apartsubstantially parallel relation with respect to each other and each aresuitably apertured in the manner of the ear 16. The apertures in each ofthe ears 21 are disposed in registering relation with an aperture in oneof the ears 16 for the reception of an elongate pivot pin 23therethrough so that the clamping members 11 and 20 are shiftably Itwill be noted, as best seen in FIG. 2, that the lower portion of themovable clamping member 20 is disposed in clamping engagement with thestationary clamping member 11 and means are provided to normally urgethe movable clamping member 20 in clamped relation with respect to thestationary clamping member. A coil spring means 24 is disposed aroundpivot pin 23 and is provided with a pair of diverging legs 25 whichrespectively bear against the movable clamping member 20 and thestationary clamping member 11. Thus, it will be seen that when themovable clamping member 20 is pivoted about its clamping member 11, thismovement of the movable clamping member 20 will be against the bias ofthe resilient spring means 24 so that movable clamping member 20 isnormally urged and maintained in clamped relation with respect to thestationary clamping member 11.

The upper terminal edge of the movable clamping member 20 is angularlybent rearwardly to define a marginal flange to thereby eliminate anysharp upper edges on the movable clamping member. It will be noted thatthe movable clamping member 20 has a channel shaped lower marginal edgeportion 26 which defines a convex clamping surface 27 disposed inopposed relation with respect to the elongate slot 18. Actually, thewidth of the movable clamping member 20, which is substantiallyrectangular shape, is less than the width of the stationary clampingmember 11 and is slightly less than the length of the elongate slot 18.The convex clamping surface 27 is shaped and contoured to engage onlythe slot defining peripheral edges of the stationary clamping member 11and cooperates with the latter for clamping the upper marginal edge of abag type receptacle therebetween.

When a bag type receptacle B is to be releasably supported from asupport structure such as a bed frame or the like, the clamp device 10will be secured to the supporting structure such as the bed frame F bymeans of the bolt assemblies 14. The receptacle B which may beconstructed of a suitable flexible material such as paper, plastic orthe like and which may be of the disposable or reusable types isprovided with a recess R in the upper peripheral edge at one sidethereof. The recess side edge of the bag type receptacle B will bepositioned between the clamping members 11 and 20, the movable clampingmember 20 being first pivoted to the released or unclamped position.This edge portion will be so disposed that the recess R receives thecentering and positioning element 19 therein so that the elongate slotis substantially parallel with the upper peripheral edge of the side ofthe bag to be clamped. Thereafter, the movable clamping member 20 isreleased to permit the smoothly arcuate convex clamping surface 27 to bemoved into engagement with the slot defining peripheral edges of thestationary clamping member 11 so that the upper marginal portion of thebag is clamped therebetween. With this arrangement, it will be seen thatpressure is applied evenly to an elongate annular portion of thereceptacle defined by the cooperative relationship of the arcuate convexsurface 27 and the slot defining peripheral edges of the stationarymember 11. Because of the smoothly arcuate configuration of the convexclamping surface 27, the tendency of the bag to become damaged as bytearing will be substantially reduced. It will also be noted that theportions of the receptacle circumscribed by the elongate gripped annularportions will be disposed out of co-planar relation with respect to thegripped annular portions thus effecting an effective clamping action onthe gripped side of the receptacle. This is attributable to the arcuateconfiguration of the convex clamping surface 27 which projects slightlyinto the slot 18. The centering and positioning element 19 also permitsthe bag type receptacle to be supported so that the receptacle issubjected to the least amount of strain.

Although the novel clamping device it is illustrated in attachedrelation to a support structure such as a conventional hospital bedframe F, it is pointed out that this device can also be used in attachedrelation to other support structures such as seat backs and the like.Thus, it will be seen that the device can be readily used and isespecially adaptable for attachment to the back of seats used inaircraft. It is pointed out that when my clamping device 10 is used inconjunction with a hospital bed frame F, it is preferred that theclamping device be attached to head end of the bed to facilitate use bya hospital patient.

It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided a novel method and anovel clamping device for use in supporting a bag type receptacle inreleasably clamped relation from a support such as a bed or the like,the clamping 4 device elfectively clamping the bag type receptacle whilesubstantially reducing the tendency of the receptacle to be torn orotherwise damaged due to the clamping action.

It will further be noted from the preceding paragraphs that I haveprovided a novel clamping device which effectively centers a bag-typereceptacle to permit the latter to be releasably clamped in suspendedrelation from a support structure such as a bed or the like in a mannerto subject the bag-type receptacle to the least amount of strain.

It will, therefore, be seen from the preceding description that I haveprovided a novel clamping device which is not only of simple andinexpensive construction but which functions in a more efficient mannerthan any heretofore known comparable clamping devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement, and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the general scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Clamping device for use in supporting a bag-type receptacle inreleasably clamped relation upon a support such as a bed or the like,said clamping device including a substantially fiat stationary clampingmember detachably connectible to the side rail of a bed, said stationaryclamping member having a positioning flange integrally formed with oneedge thereof for engagement with the upper surface of the bed side railto permit orienting of said stationary clamping member in uprightrelation, a movable clamping member pivotally connected to saidstationary clamping member for pivotal movement relative thereto betweenclamping and release positions, one of said clamping members having anelongate slot therein, the other of said members having an elongatesmoothly arcuate convex clamping surface disposed in opposed relationwith respect to said slot and being engageable with portions of saidother member defining the peripheral edges of said slot when saidmembers are disposed in clamping position for clamping the top marginaledge portion of a bag type receptacle therebetween, said convex clampingsurface being disengageable from said slot defining peripheral edgeswhen said movable member is pivoted to the release positions to permitready removal of the receptacle therefrom, resilient means normallyurging said members to said clamped position and a bag positioningelement integrally formed with said one clamping member and beingdisposed above but in close proximity to the convex clamping surface andsaid slot defining peripheral edges, said positioning element beingreceived within a recess in the upper marginal edge portion of thereceptacle when the latter is clamped between said convex clampingsurface and said slot-defining peripheral edges.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot is formed insaid stationary clamping member and said convex clamping surface is onsaid movable clamping member.

3. A clamping device for use in supporting a bag-type receptacle inreleased clamped relation from a support such as a bed or the like, saidclamping device including a stationary clamping member detachablyconnected to a support structure and being normally oriented in uprightrelation, said stationary clamping member having an elongatetransversely extending slot formed therein, a movable clamping memberpivotally connected to said stationary clamping member for relativepivotal movement relative thereto between clamping and releasedpositions, the lower marginal edge portion of said movable clampingmember being arcuately bent to define a smoothly arcuate convex clampingsurface disposed in opposed relation to said slot and being engagablewith portions of said stationary clamping member defining the peripheraledges of said slot when said movable clamping member is disposed inclamping position for clamping the top marginal edge portions of a bagtype receptacle therebetween, a

bag-positioning and centering element projecting outwardly from saidstationary clamping member and being disposed above in close proximityto said slot and centrally located relative thereto, said positioningand centering element being received within a recess in the uppermarginal edge portion of a bag-type receptacle when the latter isclamped between said convex clamping surface and said slot definingperipheral edges, and resilient means normally urging said members tosaid clamped position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. CLAMPING DEVICE FOR USE IN SUPPORTING A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLE INRELEASABLY CLAMPED RELATION UPON A SUPPORT SUCH AS A BED OR THE LIKE,SAID CLAMPING DEVICE INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT STATIONARY CLAMPINGMEMBER DETACHABLY CONNECTIBLE TO THE SIDE RAIL OF A BED, SAID STATIONARYCLAMPING MEMBER HAVING A POSITIONING FLANGE INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH ONEEDGE THEREOF FOR ENGAGE MENT WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE BED SIDE RAILTO PERMIT ORIENTING OF SAID STATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER IN UPRIGHTRELATION, A MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAIDSTATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEENCLAMPING AND RELEASE POSITIONS, ONE OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS HAVING ANELONGATE SLOT THEREIN, THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING AN ELONGATESMOOTHLY ARCUATE CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE DISPOSED IN OPPOSED RELATIONWITH RESPECT TO SAID SLOT AND BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH PORTIONS OF SAIDOTHER MEMBER DEFINING THE PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID SLOT WHEN SAIDMEMBERS ARE DISPOSED IN CLAMPING POSITION FOR CLAMPING THE TOP MARGINALEDGE PORTION OF A BAG TYPE RECEPTACLE THEREBETWEEN, SAID CONVEX CLAMPINGSURFACE BEING DISENGAGEABLE FROM SAID SLOT DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGESWHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBER IS PIVOTED TO THE RELEASE POSITIONS TO PERMITREADY REMOVAL OF THE RECEPTACLE THEREFROM, RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLYURGING SAID MEMBERS TO SAID CLAMPED POSITION AND A BAG POSITIONINGELEMENT INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID ONE CLAMPING MEMBER AND BEINGDISPOSED ABOVE BUT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE ANDSAID SLOT DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGES, SAID POSITIONING ELEMENT BEINGRECEIVED WITHIN A RECESS IN THE UPPER MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF THERECEPTACLE WHEN THE LATTER IS CLAMPED BETWEEN SAID CONVEX CLAMPINGSURFACE AND SAID SLOT-DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGES.